Ecological Roles of Fungal Networks: Integrating Nutrient Cycling, Soil Health, and Climate Resilience-A Systematic Review

Matazimov M.T. ^1*, Sidametova Z.E. ¹, Olimov N.K. ^1, Abdullaeva M.U. ^1, Rakhimova D.O. ¹, Rustamov I. X. ¹, Umurzakova N.S. ¹

This review discusses fungal-soil interactions enables strategies for sustainable agriculture, soil health improvement, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation through enhanced ecosystem resilience.

Abstract

Beneath every thriving ecosystem lies a living web of fungal networks that quietly sustain the planet’s fertility and balance. These underground systems—woven by mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi—act as the foundation of soil life, recycling nutrients, storing carbon, and enabling plants to communicate and share resources. This systematic review brings together recent insights from molecular biology, metagenomics, and field ecology to explore how these intricate networks shape and sustain ecosystems. Mycorrhizal fungi, for instance, form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, extending their reach for water and minerals while exchanging vital nutrients. Saprotrophic fungi, meanwhile, orchestrate decomposition, breaking down organic matter into life-sustaining soil carbon. Together, these fungal communities regulate nutrient cycling, influence microbial diversity, and even suppress soil-borne pathogens. Yet, their delicate balance is increasingly threatened by deforestation, intensive agriculture, and climate change, all of which disrupt the invisible threads that hold ecosystems together. The review highlights the urgent need for conservation-focused land management—practices that protect fungal biodiversity, minimize chemical use, and restore natural soil processes. Recognizing fungi not as background players but as ecological engineers reframes how we approach sustainability. By restoring and respecting these subterranean alliances, we can strengthen soil health, support global food systems, and build resilience against environmental change.

Keywords: Fungal Networks, Mycorrhizae, Soil Ecology, Nutrient Cycling, Microbial Interactions, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Agriculture

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